Shloka 16

Vrata-Niyama: Fasting Purity, Brahmakūrcha, Naktāhāra, and Kāla-Nirṇaya

Ritual Timing

Devanagari script

युग्माग्नियुगभूतानि षण्मुन्योर्वसुरन्ध्रयोः / रुद्रेण द्वादशी युक्ता चतुर्दश्याथ पूर्णिमा

Transliteration

yugmāgniyugabhūtāni ṣaṇmunyorvasurandhrayoḥ / rudreṇa dvādaśī yuktā caturdaśyātha pūrṇimā

Translation

The even-numbered tithi are associated with the twin Aśvins; with the three sacred fires; with the four yugas; and with the five great elements. The sixth is linked with the sages (muni), the eighth with the Vasus, and the ninth with the openings of the body. The twelfth is joined with Rudra; then come the fourteenth and the full-moon day (pūrṇimā).

Word by Word

• युग्माग्नियुगभूतानि: (numbers/terms) ‘pair’, ‘fire’, ‘yuga’, ‘beings’ (as markers)
• युग्माग्नियुगभूतानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + युग (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः/समाससमूहः (युग्म-अग्नि-युग-भूतानि = युग्मम्, अग्निः, युगम्, भूतानि इत्यादि)

• षण्मुन्योः: of the six sages
• षण्मुन्योः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् (प्रातिपदिक) + मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), द्विवचन; द्विगु-समासः (षण्मुनि)

• वसुरन्ध्रयोः: of the Vasus and the ‘holes’ (rāndhra = 9)
• वसुरन्ध्रयोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसु (प्रातिपदिक) + रन्ध्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (वसूनां च रन्ध्राणां च)

• रुद्रेण: by/with Rudra (i.e., 11)
• रुद्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन

• द्वादशी: the twelfth lunar day
• द्वादशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वादश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तिथि-नाम; द्विगु (द्वादश+ई)

• युक्ता: joined/associated
• युक्ता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• चतुर्दश्याथ: the fourteenth (tithi), then
• चतुर्दश्याथ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दशी (प्रातिपदिक) + अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: चतुर्दशी: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; अथ: अव्यय (क्रमसूचक)

• पूर्णिमा: full-moon day
• पूर्णिमा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्णिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bandhu (correspondence) between temporal units (tithis) and cosmic principles; time is a meaningful, structured manifestation of dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Seeing unity-in-order: the cosmos as an intelligible web where kāla reflects tattva; supports contemplative awareness alongside ritual precision.

Application: Use tithi-devatā associations to choose appropriate observances (e.g., Rudra-linked dvādaśī for Rudra/Śiva-oriented restraint), and to cultivate mindful reverence for time.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: symbolic-cosmological mapping (tithi to deities/categories)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.128 (tithi classifications and ritual timing context)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Aśvins
• Vasus
• Rudra
• Muni (Sages)

FAQs

What is the importance of tithi–deity associations in the Garuda Purana?

This verse assigns specific divine and cosmic correspondences to certain lunar days, indicating that ritual observances gain clarity and potency when performed on tithis aligned with their presiding forces (e.g., Rudra with dvādaśī).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: by organizing time (tithi) through devas and cosmic principles, it frames ritual discipline as part of dharma—supporting right conduct that, elsewhere in the Garuda Purana, is said to affect post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the lunar calendar thoughtfully: plan vows, worship, and observances with awareness of dvādaśī, caturdaśī, and pūrṇimā, treating time as sacred and aligning practice with traditional tithi-based discipline.